Looking for a new Wilson Racquet in my 40's

[Dharmaboy]

Hey guys
getting back into tennis after a 2 years break. I am in better shape now than before (dropped about 20lbs) lifting weights etc. I primarily play with Wilson K 6.1 95 and my Blade 98s. With a few of my nagging shoulder issues and inability to generate much spin due to being an 70's born wood racquet flat hitter, wondering what are my options in the Wilson line?

Headsize that worked well for me I think was 98, 2pts HL is what I am used to but I find that the 18x20 is not suiting my motion now (besides cracker serves still) to generate any or nothing for topspin. everytime i go to put away a shot, I seem to be unable to keep it in, but if I keep my shots lighter I launch them into the net. Yes bad technique is all wrapped in this but being a flat hitter, I am wondering if I should go to a more open pattern? Blade 16x19?

I loved the K 6.1 Mardy Fish style stick but I wonder if it's deteriorating my aging shoulder. I know you guys are bigger racquet experts so I am reaching out.

Thanks

PS. Here are the specks of my present sticks

	Length	Headsize	Weight	Balance	Balance Point	Beam Width	String Pattern	Flex Rating	Swing Weight
Wilson K 6.1 95	27	95	12.3	8pts HL	12.5	22	16x18	69	340
Wilson BLX Blade 98	27	98	11.3	2pts HL	13.25	22	18x20	64	335
Wilson Blade 98 Silver Black	27	98	11.42	2pts HL		21.5	18x20	65	323.75

 

[sureshs]

Also post this in the Racket section

 

[sureshs]

The Clash series is being marketed as very soft (55 RA) and comfortable on the arm.

 

[fuzz nation]

I switched from the Wilson 6.1 Classics some years back into "10 Series" Volkls and I've been quite happy with these. My first Volkls were the C10's, but I've also picked up a pair of Organix 10 325g's (I've added some lead to these) and most recently a pair of V-Sense 10 325g's. All of these are 98" frames, which seems to be about as big as I like to go.

So I have a happy bundle of options for use in different settings; coaching, teaching, and playing singles and doubles. No idea what model to specifically recommend, but I've tried to find a Wilson that I can use as a work racquet at the club where I teach (the shop carries all Wilson and Luxilon). Nothing from the Wilson camp has rivaled the performance and comfort I enjoy with my Volkls.

I'll also note that I've been stringing at home for well over a decade. Synthetic gut has been keeping me quite happy for a lot of years. I've sampled this and that, but syn. gut in 16 or 17 ga. has really been my home-sweet-home.

If you need another label to check out, I'm generally impressed with the gear that Yonex has to offer.

 

[ChaelAZ]

The 2015 Blade 16x19 would be good but the CV model or maybe even the new model is pretty heavy comparitively. Both generate a lot of spin though.

The Clash might fit the bill in comfort and definitely to generate more spin without a technique change.

 

[Dharmaboy]

Good info. someone also pointed out I should try a Ultra as well in the 18x20 range

 

[MajesticMoose]

I'd try the new Blade v7

 

[Dharmaboy]

I'd try the new Blade v7

I was considering this racquet. I am thinking with my flat shots coupled with slow racquet head speed to get these strung very tight like mid to high 50s?

 

[Turbo-87]

I hit flat and had my v7 Blade strung at 57. Haven't hit yet. I had my outgoing rf 97a at 57 also and liked it.

 

[MajesticMoose]

I was considering this racquet. I am thinking with my flat shots coupled with slow racquet head speed to get these strung very tight like mid to high 50s?

Sounds like you need a full bed of natural gut 16g at like 57ish pounds

 

[BRS1076]

First, congrats on the weight drop! Just keep on keeping on at the gym!

After I decided to move back from a 2HBH to a 1HBH several years back, I moved from the Pro Staff Classic 7.5 to the Pro Staff 95 (2014) down to the Pro Staff 90 (2014) and then over to the Prince Phantom 93P (18x20). If you were willing to move away from Wilson, I would try the 93P in both 18x20 and 14x18.

I demoed a few racquets before eventually committing to the 93P. The Pro Staff 97RF was heavy and sluggish, but if you take a fairly early backswing, it could work. It has great pace even if you are not taking a full cut at the ball. I just never developed the timing and always felt like I was making late contact. I have not demoed the most recent Blades, but when I demoed a couple blades two years ago, I just could not adjust to the different launch point and found that while I was generating topspin, the ball's initial bounce was dropping near the service line. Whereas, with the PS90, I was within a couple feet of the baseline. (Technical note, I was taught to "fan" on the forehand as a junior, but in recent years I have been striving to drive straight through the ball and flatten out more.)

I grew up as a fan of the Pro Staff line having hit with the PSC 6.1 ad 7.5 and even the 95sq in version of the PS85. Similar to the complaints that many Prestige fans have against Head, Wilson just is not making classic players racquets anymore. Before settling on the 93P, I was gravitating towards the Yonex VCore Pro 97 (the Wawrinka stick) and the Babolat Pure Strike Project One7. The Stan Stick was a heavy club similar to the RF97, but I felt it was a little more forgiving with a little less spin. I was really surprised that I liked the Project One7. I put down every other Babolat after just a few strokes because my arm was having an instant and visercal reaction. The One7 didn't feel as harsh as other Babolat racquets and has that "whip" factor that you expect from a modern racquet but felt comfortable and stable on flat shots. In that sense, it felt closer to those old PS6.1s and PS7.5s than the Pure Aero.

The 93P is lighter and more forgiving the the PS90. That being said, I still feel that the 93P feels a tad more sluggish than the PS90. It just feels like the PS90 "finishes" faster due to the plow through. The PS90 was also a little more maneuverable at the net. The 93P felt a little more plush all around and the larger head size made it easier to really go after kick serves or generate adequate depth on groundies when scrambling.

If I were to demo any additional racquets, I would prolly try the VCore 95 and the Dunlop Srixon CX 200 which 7pts HL and relatively soft. However, until Wilson releases another mid-size Player's Club on par with the PS90, I am firmly (financially) committed to the 93P (just picked up a third recently).

 

[movdqa]

I went to the IG Prestige and love it.

If you want a lot of spin and are used to heavier sticks, the RF97 of course.

 

[Dharmaboy]

Thanks for the points of view. I actually own an RF97 Black Red but it was really tough for me to generate pace with it and it's a tough stick to use. I can admit I am not skilled enough to use that RF97 Properly.

 

[BRS1076]

Thanks for the points of view. I actually own an RF97 Black Red but it was really tough for me to generate pace with it and it's a tough stick to use. I can admit I am not skilled enough to use that RF97 Properly.

I have a couple blacked out RF97s. When I went back home for Christmas and played indoors on some 90s style/fast hardcourts, the ball was getting on top of me on my backswing! I think it takes someone with immaculate anticipation and early preparation to get the most out of the RF97... perhaps someone like Fed???

 

[Keizer]

That's a big swingweight discrepancy on the blades even with the same balance point...

Is this Wilson's vaunted QC striking again? I should measure the swingweights on my Blades, I play with the exact same sticks.

 

[Dharmaboy]

That's a big swingweight discrepancy on the blades even with the same balance point...

Is this Wilson's vaunted QC striking again? I should measure the swingweights on my Blades, I play with the exact same sticks.

The Black Silver Amplifeel Blade was very bad for being "tingy" when you hit with it. I had to put some lead tape to stop it sounding so hollow. And that's tingy even with a dampener